500 Days in the wild: hiking the Great Trail

Hiked out of Nelson on the trail towards Castlegar into some deep snow. It is in between seasons where it snows then melts so not perfect for skiing and dragging a sled. So backtracked to Nelson and tomorrow will paddle to Taghum and then pick up the trail hiking again. Once I hit the trail in Taghum I have 700km of snowy rail trails, 500km of it on the Kettle Valley Trail. Depending on where Covid is at once I reach Hope I am considering paddling down the Fraser and hooking up with the Salish Sea paddle to Victoria. That would keep me isolated and can pick up supply drops offs along the route on the water. Lots and lots of logistics. But one step and one day at a time. Patience is grace. Stay calm and shine on xo

I met Floyd on the trail in Newfoundland. I was pushing a heavy mountain bike and had not seen people for a bit and him and his wife with a few friends called me over, put a drink in my hand and insisted I spend the night. Next morning went trout fishing with Floyd for breakfast before I got on my way again. I will return with my fishing rod for another visit when I get to return when the film is done. He has written a book and I believe the visit made it into his collection of memories. Good luck Floyd and for those interested in Newfoundland stories, I am sure this will be filled with good ones.

Flashback to five years ago when I met the friendly giant, Chef Michael Smith, on The Great Trail in PEI. This was the film crew, Ann Verrall, Emma Fugate and Ed Green. Short video link below. https://youtu.be/nU9RRibiOvo

Fire, an ancient friend. For millennia our ancestors have used them to cook, stay warm, ward off predators and venture into cold landscapes. For all that has changed since our Neanderthal friends. my relationship to fire in the wild is the same. #ancient #fire

This is a beautiful piece of writing weaving the voices of inspiring women. So very very humbled, that this journey is a part of it. Thank you Sandy. Powherhouse Impact Media Group ... https://sandypowlik.wordpress.com/20//27/indigenous-power/

Had a request this morning to repost the film trailer. Usually these are not made until after the film is made. But after five years on a trail you gotta show people something. So voila. For those who have not already seen it, the trailer. This is an indie film, so there is no marketing budget so, if you like it, be awesome if you could share it. Shine on https://youtu.be/oY4hPjqmm3k

Thank you Rik Jespersen https://www.coastreporter.net//funding-push-on-for-dianne-

From the perspective of an eagle on the Elk Valley Trail. I always find these aerials reflect the connection I feel out here, that I am a small part of a web of a life. Shot by @jenicahaha

Rebel Sister Productions film day on the Elk Valley Trail with Jenica. Really proud of the fact that all the key creative people on this film are women and almost all of the people who have joined me on the trail are women. This is for the women Women in Film & Television Vancouver Wift-At Women In Film And Television Inc. Powherhouse Impact Media Group

Bear prints today on the Elk Valley Trail-between Sparwood and Fernie, BC

Sasquatch and her elves. Elk Valley Trail, between Sparwood and Hosmer BC #sasquatch #elves

Today’s gratitude is for the kindness we are receiving in Fernie. The beautiful mountains, Elk River, a free place to stay for a few nights from an old friend I met in Whistler years ago who I fondly call Hunter. Then a free hat from a local business called, Sticks and Stones where I also took this photo. Will be on trail in this area for a few days and will share the beauty of this place. But for today, this beautiful message.

Thanksgiving dinner on the trail, literally, Jenica and Louisa drove 20km down back roads and Louisa cooked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and Jenica brought the pumpkin pie. Even had chairs and of course, a big fire. Definitely one of my favourite Thanksgiving meals. Love my friends

Had a great interview with Rebecca McPhee, a travel writer who lives in Great Britain. It was one of those chats where you talk for two hours and it felt like five minutes. Thanks Rebecca. https://explorersweb.com//dianne-whelan-500-days-in-the-w/

Elk. Elk Valley Trail. BC The wisdom of Elk is they know how to pace themselves. Sometimes all your dream needs is the next step.

Reverence. noun. a deep respect for someone one or something. On the Elk Valley Trail between Elkford and Sparwood. @powherhouse

An aerial shot from the Elk Valley trail. I am the little black dot riding my mountain bike on it right now. The next two maps show the portion I have left in BC. I will paddle the Salish Sea to mile zero in Victoria. Still says I have 1677km to go. I swear the last time I measured it said less. It’s growing. The aerial photo is from drone footage shot by @jenicahaha and her Flying Raven Productions. Of course the drone that films me is called Raven. I so love my friends and their kindness and generosity. When I flatline in burn out, they come out and build the fire that keeps me warm. Happy Thanksgiving everybody. #thanksgiving #friends

The stories we tell shape our world view. If you want to change the world, change the story. That is the power of art. But how do you get around the status quo to introduce new ideas? If you feel called become a Mother of the film; make a tax free donation, get on the film credits, and become part of a mentor team as the film gets finished, edited and distributed. More info and links below.

A falling star. Sometimes as a filmmaker I have to wait days to get a shot. These hours or days are my quiet meditations. Instead of chasing a photo or a film shot, I sit quietly and wait for a moment to come to me. This was one of those moments. We talk about chasing our dreams, but sometimes we need to just sit and wait for them to unfold before us. This is the path of least resistance and one I am only now coming to learn and understand in my life. Have a great day everybody. Elk Lake, Alberta

Archaeology dates one Mi’kmaq village in New Brunswick that I filmed in, on the river across from Metepenagiag, as 10,000 years old. Nobody discovered this land we call home, they invaded it. I was told there is no word in the Mi’kmaq language for, sorry. This word translated means, making things right. Honouring treaty’s is making things right.